Despite U.S. President Joe Biden’s calls to avoid ground operations in Lebanon, Israel has initiated “targeted” raids, raising concerns about a potential escalation in the region. On Monday, Biden expressed his discomfort with the situation, urging for an immediate ceasefire amid heightened tensions following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed that Israel had informed Washington about its limited operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border. However, shortly after, the Israeli military announced it had launched “ground raids” on villages in southern Lebanon.
This pattern of escalating military action in response to U.S. calls for diplomacy is familiar. Just last week, Netanyahu ordered airstrikes against Hezbollah shortly after a joint U.S.-French statement advocating for a ceasefire. Brian Katulis from the Middle East Institute noted that the Biden administration has often been caught off guard by Israel’s military decisions, despite providing the necessary military support.
At the United Nations, as Netanyahu authorized the strike against Nasrallah, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the U.S. stance, stating that while Israel has the right to defend itself, the focus should be on how to achieve its security objectives effectively.
While the U.S. acknowledges the strategic implications of Nasrallah’s death, it claimed it was unaware of Israel’s plans to target him beforehand. As Israel seeks to capitalize on its military successes against Hezbollah and Hamas, Washington remains hopeful for diplomatic solutions in both Gaza and Lebanon.
Blinken has emphasized that diplomacy is the only viable path to stability in the Middle East. He engaged with various international counterparts, reinforcing calls for Israel to avoid ground operations, but those appeals appear to have fallen on deaf ears.
With the U.S. election approaching, the Biden administration is navigating a complex landscape, balancing its support for Israel with the urgent need for regional stability, all while under scrutiny for its limited influence over Netanyahu’s decisions.